Dedicated to the promotion of Dunkirk’s historical, cultural and artistic heritage, the museum stores, collects, and exhibits artwork, photographs, sculpture, and historical objects. It also offers arts programs, including artistic expressions focusing on storytelling, quilting, painting, photography, puppetry, pottery, dancing and music.
 

The Brooks Room showcases a number of displays comprised of objects and photographs relating to the Brooks Locomotive Works and American Locomotive Company of Dunkirk and Dunkirk’s important role during the era of steam locomotion.
 

The Brooks/ALCO Railroad Display is located at the Chautauqua County Fairgrounds, featuring the former Boston & Main #444 Locomotive, donated by the Fletcher Granite Company of West Chelmsford, Mass. Also at the site are the Delaware & Hudson wood-sided boxcar #22020, a New York Central wooden caboose and various other local railroad artifacts.